Does America's Love Affair With The Truck Mean They No Longer Care About Gas Mileage?

"America" cares about gas mileage when pump prices are high. We even had a president that gave incentives to buy Hummers (I mean the vehicle ;-)

Fewer Americans buy a fuel-efficient vehicle when they can easily afford a bigger, thirstier, more luxurious vehicle.

Consumers were initially "shaken" when fuel prices increased to $4-$5-$6/gal. The SUV "craze" has clearly indicated the preferred vehicle types. But we should consider how the average SUV fuel ratings compare to the average midsize sedan today & then compare them to similar offers from 10 years ago.

I wonder if studies would show that the typical SUV owner would have purchased a large car or corresponding truck if their desired SUV didn't exist. That's the question.

Gas is only expensive due to our counterproductive attitudes about energy.

This is media spinning everything as usual, as well as the "leftist" brainwashing attempts on culture. As an American living abroad I can tell you even with very high fuel prices in foreign countries Pickups and SUVs sell in huge numbers. People want to buy what is the most usable product for them with the most amount of conveniences packaged into that product. Currently at $1.60 a litre where I live now there are massive number of large SUVs and Utes driving around. If the price of Fuel dictated what we(population) would buy then you would see all new SUV's and Ute's(pickups in US) rotting on dealer inventory lots while small fuel efficient or electric vehicles would be flying off the lots. When in the US I drive a large pickup. Fuel economy was never a factor in my purchase. Then for them to try and blame this on Trump is even more idiotic. The "leftist" are that arrogant that they would imply (or have a genuine belief) that we are not smart enough to make a purchase decision based on our needs irrespective of the running costs we are going to incur with that purchase. Unless we let them tell us what exactly we can buy, think, eat, and drink as well as what we say to one another we will be okay. They are the saviours of the human race!!!!!

The Left believes all you need are more laws and fines for a perfect life and gobs of taxation to make everyone prosperous.

^^^
Nah. That's just what Alt.Right-ers says about anyone who isn't Alt.Right :-/

(Alt.Right-ers: Click the down-arrow to send Steve to hell.)

While there could be a few buyers who get an F150 for fun, most buyers really have a need. The run a business or have a lifestyle that dictates (farming) what they drive. In Canada the F150 has been the #1 selling vehicle for years, more than any car. When you drive outside of the Toronto GTA even only 10-20 minutes, a great many of the vehicles in traffic slowly change to pickup trucks. Now rising fuel prices will weed out those who just want to show off or drive a truck because they need one occasionally, but those who really need one will own one, no matter which way they vote. PS - There is no Alt-Left. It is just spin and a label, a bit like "Fake News". There are only news/facts you don't like as they don't serve your cause or narrative.

@TheSteve you are the King of passive aggressive dysfunctional living. It really is so pathetic how much I matter to you. I don't care a wit about you, but anything I say triggers you to respond. You're addicted to me. I'm the "D" and you're the "s". Too funny.

@canadian I genuinely appreciate you. There most decidedly is an Alt-Left. The first step in your recovery is admitting it. :) I'm here to help and support you. :) So what makes Alt-Right NOT "just spin and a label"? You weren't being a hypocrite were you. I'm not here to judge, but only to give you my love and support. Blessings to you my friend. :)

@MD The world needs friends, foes and frenemies too. My very best to you and your family this holiday Season. I will see you in the new year. I have a big snowball ready in case you drive by my house :)

@TheSteve Keep up the fight brother. I am there every day beside you and the rest of the moderate posters who are actually just here to talk about cars and keep facts front and centre.

@canadian You're fun to spar with because you show signs of intelligence.

TheSteve is most decidedly NOT a moderate.

^^^
Q: When is a Moderate not moderate?

A: When he stands up to a bully, bops him soundly on the nose, and loudly proclaims, “You’re a bully!”

In your mind, Matt, I’m not “moderate” because I’ll stand up to Alt.Right-ers (such as you), Nazis, racists (and other hateful groups and individuals), and call them out for what they are. I’m sure you’d feel more comfortable if I was more timid, and I didn’t shine such a bright spotlight on you, and your extremist behavior.


[Alt.Right-ers: Click the down arrow to silently send your “FU” to Steve!]

TheSteve is so easily triggered AGAIN

Moderate: "avoiding extremes of behavior or expression"

You're so far Left it's ridiculous. You are intolerant of all opposing political points of view.

You're not a centrist...not even remotely.

MDarringer wrote “…You are intolerant of all opposing political points of view…”

Your statement is patently false, as the AutoSpies record clearly shows. (BTW, false assertions are typical Alt.Right-ers. A quick fact-check quickly deflates them).

And actually, your statement describes *you*, who is clearly intolerant of political views that aren’t Alt.Right (radicalized conservative extremism). The record here at AutoSpies clearly and abundantly shows how you deride liberals, socialists, communists, the political left (in general), the Democratic Party, environmentalists, “social justice warriors”, the “Black Lives Matters” movement, and even people who simply disagree with you. How is that for an equal-opportunity hater? ;-) That’s the color of Alt.Right. Intolerance and derision is your all-too-predictable pattern of behavior, just as it was BobM’s. You even came to the defense of the openly racist BobM (now deleted from AutoSpies) in another forum! Remember that? These are your true colors, and you fly then in AutoSpies forums :-/ Yech.

*My* intolerance (as the AutoSpies record abundantly shows) is directed at Nazis (Neo and Original flavor), White Supremacists (or any Supremacist group), extremists (religious, political, ideological, etc.), racists and bigots (or any other hate group or such individual), etc. Your discomfort comes from being in this cohort, having the spotlight on you, and being called out for what you are. Were American GIs intolerant of The Third Reich? You bet! And I still think that was a Good Thing™.


Less hate (political or otherwise). More car focus. More happy AutoSpies members.

(This is my last post in this thread, so feel free to have the last word.)

Let's not turn everything into politics. A simple fact often overlooked is how much SUV prices have gone up in the last 5 years. I can buy a lot of truck for $50k but only a compact SUV similarly equipped.

@wilfred. Spot on. The relative demise of the small pickup was a misstep by the industry. I bet Ford could sell all the Rangers it could make for US consumption.

The reason GM got the Canyon/Colorado on the street. I see enough of the Ridgeline as well.

Did someone ignore the fact that as they tried to increase the mileage of cars - they also downsized them - making them harder to get into - if you can at all. You actually can get into most Trucks and SUVs easier than a car today - and sitting more upright - you actually have enough room.

THERE are only so many times that you can yell - The Sky is falling - before people will no longer listen. The fact is - with shale oil deposits - we have no reason to even consider the end of production of OIL based fuels for centuries - when in the 1970's they were telling us they would ALREADY have run out today.

THe politics of oil is that OPEC can no longer threaten the USA either -since North AMerica has the ability to produce ALL the oil it needs - and currently ONLY buys oil because of low prices AND logistics (Ie - where the OIL is and how to transport it).

As far as the Alt-right and Alt left - the basic issue remains MOST AMericans are centrists - but retain the right to be very liberal on some issues (Freedom of speech and expression) and conservative on others (Defense). Neither side of the current political machines truly represent the majority of Americans. There was a time when both parties had left and right wings - and Southern Democrats were often as conservative as Republicans - while Northern Liberal Republicans were more liberal (Jacob Javits) than most Democrats. The difference - they worked together. Today - the party with a single vote plurality completely excludes the other in discussions - something that came in with Newt Gingrich long before today. IT is a shame!

@TomM You are correct. Take out the results at the end of the curve and you are left with a plump middle, most people are in the centre of the political spectrum. In the past you could not really tell the difference between politicians from leading parties, they all occupied the centre, just a bit to the right or a bit to the left. They even sounded the same. Sadly extreme statements and policies have been brought forward to attract those on the fringes versus staying the course and looking after the moderate base both parties have. Time will tell if things swing back to the middle or if everyone is determined to drive off a cliff only to be replaced by those who appeal to the broadest section of the population.

Better question:
Does the rapidly exploded price of deluxe trucks mean the Americans no longer care about how much money they spend?